A task force of the Ogun State government has clamped down on traders occupying walkways and roadsides in Abeokuta, the state capital.
This followed the expiration of the three-day ultimatum given to street traders across the state to stop displaying their wares and products to vacate pedestrian walkways roadsides, under bridges and unauthorised open places in streets.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr Rasak Ojetola, led a Special Task Force, on Saturday night, for the commencement of enforcement on street traders.
Ojetola-led task force, which comprised officials of the ministry, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, and Ogun State Security Network codenamed Amotekun to carry out enforcement in major markets in the state capital city of Abeokuta such as Olomore, Kuto, Lafenwa, among others.
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Ojetola said the Special Task Force during the operation removed the tables, benches, bad wheel rims and tyres, torn umbrellas used by the traders in displaying their wares and products and thereafter stationed environmental marshals in the claimed spaces to enforce the order.
He therefore warned the street traders against testing the will of the government by going back to the clear areas to sell.
He said defaulters will face the full wrath of the Environmental Law 2004 which stipulates punishment on street trading.
The Permanent Secretary added that the state government has barricaded and will soon start the beautification of the majority of the spaces recovered during the enforcement.
He said the enforcement exercise will soon be extended to the utter parts of the state such as Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ifo, and Agbara among others to ensure total compliance with the provision of the Environmental Law 2004.
